Table of Contents
Chemicals Needed for Pool Start Ups Stain & Scale Preventer. Granular Shock Chlorine. Chlorine Tablets. pH Increaser and/or pH Decreaser. Alkalinity and/or Calcium Increaser. Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) Algaecide and Clarifiers if needed. Complete Test Kit or Test Strips.
What order do you put chemicals in a pool?
What Chemicals to Add When & Why Start by Testing Your Water. The first thing that you should do before you start adding chemicals is test the water. Alkalinity Levels. Manage pH Levels: Add Muriatic Acid of Soda Ash. Adjust the Calcium Hardness. Add Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) Add Chlorine.
Do I use shock or algaecide first?
Algaecide should be used after each shock treatment, so it has a better chance to support your chlorine as it works its magic. Be sure to shock your pool first, then when the chlorine levels of your pool return to normal, add the correct amount of algaecide to several places around your pool while your pump is running.
Can I add pool chemicals at the same time?
Despite being chlorinating agents, they are incompatible. Do not add at the same time or mix muriatic acid and chlorine. Such interaction produces a toxic gas that is dangerous to health even in small amounts. A good rule of thumb is to never mix pool chemicals with each other.
Do I need to shock my pool when I first fill it?
At first you’ll add chlorine in what’s called “shock” levels – an extra heavy dose to start your pool off. A shock dose coupled with extra circulation will ensure that all the water gets treated properly in the beginning. Now it’s time to keep the water hardness in check, otherwise known as alkalinity.
Do I add chlorine or acid first?
You should never add chlorine and muriatic acid at the same time. The muriatic acid will react with the chlorine in your pool and create a deadly gas called hydrochloric acid. You need to wait for a minimum of 30 minutes, after you add the acid, before adding any chlorine to your pool.
What pool chemicals should not be mixed?
Incompatible Pool Chemicals Calcium Hardness Increaser & Sodium Bicarbonate. Water Clarifier & Sequestering Agents. Chlorine & Calcium Hypochlorite. Pool Shock with Presence of Metals in Pool. Pool Shock & Enzyme Products. Chlorine & Muriatic Acid.
Why is pool still green after shocking it?
Pools can immediately turn green after shocking when they have metals like copper or iron in the water. These metals oxidize when exposed to high levels of chlorine which makes the pool water turn green. Metals in the water are caused by some algaecides and using well water.
Is pool shock the same as chlorine?
1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.
Do you adjust pH or alkalinity first?
Check Total Alkalinity (TA) first, then adjust for proper pH range. Proper TA will buffer pH, that is, it will help to prevent pH fluctuations. Use fresh, high quality test strips. Excessively high bromine or chlorine levels can result in false pH and TA readings.
How long should you wait to test pool water after adding chemicals?
It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals. You should wait 2-4 hours (or one full cycle through the filter) to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool.
What happens if you mix chlorine and bromine?
When you add bromine to a chlorine pool, on the other hand, the bromine does not go away but builds up over time, creating a chlorine demand. Therefore, when you shock the pool with chlorine, the residual bromine will convert the chlorine into, you guessed it, bromine.
How do you start a pool for the first time?
Step 1 – Clear off the water, debris and anything else from the pool cover. Step 2 – Remove the pool cover. Step 3 – Pull the winter plugs and accessories out. Step 4 – Top up the water in your pool. Step 5 – Reinstall the pool ladder. Step 6 – Prepare the pool filtration system. Step 7 – Power your filtration system up.
How do I treat my pool for the first time?
Before you can get to swimming, follow these steps to put chemicals in your pool for the very first time: First, balance total alkalinity because it’s like an umbrella measurement that can help protect pool conditions and keep chemicals levels in check. Next, balance pH conditions. Then balance calcium hardness.
What to add to pool after filling?
Add a clarifier to the water. The clarifier will help the filter to remove the very tiny particles that enter the pool in the filling process or that may remain following construction and installation.
When should I add acid to my pool?
If you have a pH reading of 7.8 or higher, and an average size (15,000 gallons) in-ground pool, you should add 1/4 gallon (a quart) of muriatic acid, and re-test after the water has circulated for an hour.
Can I add dry acid and shock at the same time?
Never add chemicals at the same time, whether you’re balancing the water, shocking the pool, or adding a specialty chemical. For most water balance changes, the pump needs to run on the high setting for at least four hours before you can add another chemical or retest the water.
Can I pour muriatic acid in my pool?
Easy does it Most experts agree that muriatic acid is the best option to lower the pH and alkalinity levels of your pool water. You can also use it to clean tiles, remove stains, dissolve calcium deposits, and kill any mold and algae leftover in your pool at the end of the year.
